Thread by @Hold2LLC

***Master NY BOE Unmask🧵***

I've created this to gather all the NY BOE letters being sent to Gov Cuomo and Legislature.

It started with Hauppauge, a Long Island district that was open 5d/wk ALL YEAR. Yes, even in NY. They set the pace.

This is Science. This is Leadership.

Then Massapequa jumped in the ring for tag team support while adding their own #RationalGround verbiage:

"We respectfully request that you either provide the data and science that supports the universal masking of our children, or you lift the mask mandates for schools."

🔥🔥🔥

Next, the floodgates opened.

A scorcher from William Floyd.

"...masks are causing anxiety and mental anguish, along with physical issues such as nosebleeds and trouble breathing..."

How many times have you heard, "what's the harm?" or "well my kid doesn't mind wearing one"?

Followed by a heavyweight blast from a huge school district.

In terms of BOE-to-Governor comms, this one is a flamethrower.🔥🔥

"...the balance has shifted to the point that the greater threat to our students is the psychological damage caused by overreaching requirements..."

Then Lindenhurst...

A flood of anger.

Local decision-making and clear communication. That's all we're asking for.

"We urge you to grant school boards the IMMEDIATE authority to change their district's mask guidance."

Oyster Bay. Long Island again, of course.

"We agree with school representatives who have stated that children should not be treated differently in the educational setting than in every other aspect of their lives."

How obvious and rational is that statement?

Not to be outdone, we then received a 4-in-1 atom bomb:

- Comsewogue
- Miller Place
- Port Jefferson
- Rocky Point

"authority to manage 300,000,000 in funding"

but

"...why are we not being trusted to make decisions regarding mask protocols...?"

Data and science again.

Here's Wappingers who actually sent their letter on June 9th ahead of Hauppauge.

Kudos.

"The requirement to wear a mask has contributed to health issues for those students and staff who have respiratory issues, asthmatic conditions, and other heat sensitivity ailments."

And here is Arlington who also sent their letter on June 9th.

"enforcing the use of masks has meant sending children to the nurse for heat related ailments, an increase in the # of students refusing to wear a mask, and has caused interruptions and disruption in our classrooms"

Ok, I got a clean copy for Locust Valley.

"At a minimum, we request guidance that would allow mask-wearing to be optional, regardless of vaccination status, and/or at a minimum allow similar rules as we have in restaurants where the removal of a mask while seated is permitted."

Ok, now we have a clean copy for Garden City.

4 very reasonable requests on pg 2.

And this great quote:

"The community is blaming the School Board and the Superintendent for the mess your office has created. Let us be clear, it is not our mess. It is your mess to clean up."

#15 has arrived: Clarence Central!

"I respectfully ask that you release the specific CDC response to your letter, especially the scientific data that caused the Governor and the NYSDOH to maintain the indoor mask mandate. Such information would be extremely helpful..."

#16 thanks to @EWoodhouse7: Mohonasen!

BOE held a special meeting Sat and passed a resolution.

"...we ask...for immediate relief from the wearing of masks for our students for in-person learning..."

"...petitions...to immediately allow K-12 schools to make their own policy..."

#17 Warwick!

The hits keep coming. This District actually held a survey and found 81.62% in favor!!

In our BOE meeting this week, a parent specifically asked for a survey to be sent instead of the Superintendent using personal anecdotes.

No response.

Whoa, #18-22 with this 5-in-1:

- Bellmore
- North Bellmore
- Merrick
- North Merrick
- Bellmore-Merrick

It's not strong against masks, but it does request local control, which is what we all need and want so we can fight head-on instead of being told nothing can be done.

Here's #23 overall and #18 from Long Island.

Seaford!

This District stayed open 5d/wk in-person all year (unlike most in NY) and has a strong message.

"...the social emotional toll of remaining masked has escalated and has become untenable."

#24 is Connetquot!

Yes, a District on Long Island (#19).

"...if this is not the time to unmask, when will be the time?"

"If there is no scientific reason to wear masks indoors...then move New York State schools in the right direction, now!"

#25 is Island Trees Levittown!

"With the local COVID infection rate less than .40% and the vaccination rate at almost 80% in Nassau County, we ask that the New York State abolish the mask mandate for our school district, or at least provide us the autonomy to make this decision"

#26 is West Islip, which is #21 for Long Island!

"To treat students differently in the educational setting...is inconsistent and perplexing."

"We respectfully request that you either provide the supporting documentation and reasoning...or lift the mask mandates for schools."

#27, finally, is _my_ district: Kings Park. #22 for Long Island.

Our BOE sent a weak letter on June 8th, but we lobbied hard and bombarded them with other District letters. Today, they published a new letter that we are happy to see.

Original letter also shown.

#28 is our neighbor Smithtown - #23 for Long Island.

Definitely read this one. Multiple statements in here are🔥🔥🔥.

"We continue to be acutely aware of the...toll that this
compliance has taken on the social, emotional, and physical well-being of our children and our
staff."

Here's #29: Akron (upstate)!

"Yet, for reasons not supported by any scientific
data, school age children will still be required to wear masks indoors..."

"...revoke all mask mandates for students and staff so that we can focus on...promoting social and emotional health..."

#30 has arrived: Half Hollow Hills.

Another District on Long Island near me (#24 for LI).

"...indoor mask wearing should be optional based on an individual parent or employee choice."

I like the CC at the end. 😉

#31 showed up on Thursday: Cornwall.

Data and Science throughout!

"Throughout this last year we have been told to follow the science and follow the data. Both science and data, at this juncture, would strongly show that our children do not need to be wearing masks indoors..."

#32 also arrived on Thursday (6/17): East Islip (#25 for LI).

"We write on behalf of the East Islip School District Board of Education in support of our neighboring districts that have requested to lift the mask mandate in schools and providing local decision making..."